Epithermal nuclear reactor

ABSTRACT

A SUPERCRITICAL NUCLEAR REACTOR IS DISCLOSED HAVING A CORE WHICH INCLUDES FUEL ELEMENTS CONTAINING A MIXTURE OF BERYLLIUM OXIDE AND ENRICHED URANIUM. THE COMBINATION OF BERYLLIUM OXIDE IN THE FUEL AND THE REACTOR COOLANT, COMPRISING LIGHT WATER, PROVIDES NUCLEAR MODERATION SUCH THAT THE REACTOR OPERATED WITHIN THE EPITHERMAL ENERGY   SPECTRUM. THE REACTOR COOLANT ACHIEVES OPERATING CONDITIONS BY MAKING THREE OR MORE PASSES THROUGH THE NUCLEAR CORE. REACTOR CONTROL IS ACCOMPLISHED BY BORON CARBIDE CONTROL RODS LOCATED WITHIN THE NUCLEAR CORE.

DEFENSIVE PUBLICATIQN UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE "Published at the request of the applicant or owner in accordance with the Notice of Dec. 1E5, 1969, 869 O.G. 687. The abstracts of Defensive Publication applications are identified by distinctly numbered series. and are arranged chronologically. The heading of each abstract indicates the number of pages of specification, including claims and sheets of drawings contained in the application as originally filed. The files of these applications are available to the public for inspection and reproduction may be purchased for 30 cents a sheet.

Defensive Publication applications have not been examined as to the merits of alleged invention. The Patent and Trademark Olfice makes no assertion as to the novelty of the disclosed subject matter.

PUBLISHED OCTOBER 7, 1975 T939,002 EPITHERMAL NUCLEAR REACTOR John F. Patterson, Richland, Wash., and Wilfred H. Comtois, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Filed Apr. 18, 1973, Ser. No. 352,372 Int. Cl. G21c 15/02 U.S. Cl. 176-61 4 Sheets Drawing. 17 Pages Specification A supercritical nuclear reactor is disclosed having a core which includes fuel elements containing a mixture of beryllium oxide and enriched uranium. The combination of beryllium oxide in the fuel and the reactor coolant, comprising light Water, provides nuclear moderation such that the reactor operates Within the cpitherlnal energy spectrum. The reactor coolant achieves operating conditions by making three or more passes through the nuclear core. Reactor control is accomplished by boron carbide control rods located Within the nuclear core.

Oct. 7, 1975 J.F. PATTERSON et a1. T939,002

EPITHERMAL NUCLEAR REACTOR Oct. 7, 1975 IF. PATTERSON et T939,002

EPITHERMAL NUCLEAR R CTOR Original Filed April 18, 1973 Sheet 2 of 4 Q 1 RL? W 3o 26 40 2|) I]: "I k Oct. 7, 1975 LP. PATTERSON et a1. T939,002

EPITHERMAL NUCLEAR REACTOR Original Filed April 18, 1973 Sheet 3 of 4 FIG.3.

Cl RCULATING PUMP TURBINE- CONDENSATE PUMP REACTOR VESSELS, 700F CORE 3500 PSIA FEEDWATER PUMP GENERATOR JET 624F MIXER i U CONDENSER 0,: 25 PSIA V V 240F EESEWEQ 5" 7 HEATER G J J .F PATTERSON et a1.

EPITHERMAL NUCLEAR REACTOR Sheet 4 of 4 N JQ I) FOURTH THIRD SECOND FIRST CORE CORE CORE CORE FLOW FLOW FLOW FLOW REGION REGION REGION REGION 

